1994 Ford Explorer dash in 1988 ranger

[rocketkart]

hello everyone. I’m new here and was hoping maybe someone has done this already but I’m in the middle of restoring and customizing a 1988 Ford ranger. The ranger had a 2.3 5 speed and was 4wd and wouldn’t get out of its own way. I recently bought a 1994 Ford Explorer 4wd and a 5 speed. I’m wanting to take the engine and transmission out of the 94 explorer and drop it in the 88 ranger along with all the dash components. Has anyone done this ? I have a pretty good bit of knowledge and tools as well as a shop and have fabrication skills so I’m more than capable of achieving this goal but was just wanting to here some experience from somebody that may have done it already. Thanks

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site. Nothing is impossible. Have a look in the tech library there might be a link.

 

[tw205]

Welcome to the show. From the home page open the menu and select ranger tech 1983 to 2011 when it opens scroll down to engine and fuel systems. Select that and it will contain a cornucopia of info on the swap you are doing. Lots of these fellas on here have accomplished them and they are great sources of additional info. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[rebuild83]

Just got done with the same swap. You will find everything you need in the Library. Good luck with your build it will be an easier swap

 

[Shran]

Read my "I bought a high rider" thread here. I did something very similar, 92 dash and 4.0 into an '88. Very time consuming but it will fit.

 

[rocketkart]

thanks for the input guys. My main concern is swapping the dash. I already know there not gonna be a Direct fit and was wondering if anyone has done this so I could maybe get a better idea on how to go about doing this.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome to TRS. Besides the tech library, there's a gold mine of information that can be found in posts by using the "search" feature.

Sounds like you're going to end up with a real nice truck. Good luck!

 

[rocketkart]

Started to take the 4.0 out the Explorer.

 

[rocketkart]

dose anyone know if that offer some headers and a nice duel exhaust set up for the 4.0 ohv ?

 

[gaz]

rocketkart,

There are a number of companies that made headers for a Ford 92 ohv 4.0L; surprisingly, the headers for the Ford ohv 2.9L also line up correctly and even more shocking, FLOW better!!!

I recommend building your own exhaust. You will literally save $100's building your own from sourced components.

Stock will flow well with a 2½" single but if you put some work into the heads, you could make use of either a 2¾" single or a true dual 2" system.

I built a single 2½" for my 2.9L build and it is still awesome. I am building a true dual cross flow 2” system for my 4.0L build.

 

[rocketkart]

So if I do my own exhaust System and do cat deletes, will I have a problem with not enough back pressure ? Also what’s a good sounding muffler ? I really don’t won’t it to sound like a pissed off bumblebee or a rice rocket or a retarded walrus. Just saying lol

 

[gaz]

rocketkart,

I see Absolutely no reason to remove the cats. I use high flow cats and they work great and do not break the the bank.

In regards to good sounding mufflers I have only found one company, BORLA! I use a 2.5" XR1 with the 2.9L but will use either 2 of their turbo style or 1 of their new crossflow dual in/dual out for the new dual set up.

To make a true dual set up, you may want to consider using a 86-88 style H pipe. It was designed for dual exhaust but Ford used a 2-in/1-out cat for single exhaust system???

While I don't know the truth behind Ford's thinking process I feel they knew the engine would benefit from a dual system but saving weight/cost probably took over their vision, resulting in what was sold to.the customer.

One thing for certain, a 2" true dual system through Borlas, it will have an unmistakable sounds at any RPM.

 

[rocketkart]

For those who want to know if a firewall out of a 94 explorer will fit in an 88 ranger, It will. Some trimming here and there and a few tack welds and seam sealer will look like new. I had to cut out the old firewall because of rust.

 

[rocketkart]

So today after work I started to mock up the dash. The mounts uptop of the dash are slightly different but I’ll fab something up to fix that. Other than that it looks like it’s gonna work.

 

[rocketkart]

Dash mounts I’m talking about.